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COPYRIGHT DEPOS.X 



MANUAL 
FOR WOMEN VOTERS 



CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT 
OF THE UNITED STATES 

THE CONGRESS 

THE PRESIDENT 

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT 

THE CABINET OFFICES 

MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES OF THE 

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 

THE MONROE DOCTRINE 

LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS 

THE SEVERAL STATES 



Copyright, June, 1922, by 
Edward Augustus Gross and Homer Joseph Dodge 



^ 






With the granting of the ballot to 
any class or people voting ceases to be 
a privilege and becomes a duty. 

To be performed intelligently and 
effectively this duty must be based 
upon understanding. 

An understanding of the American 
polity cannot but increase loyalty to 
the country, love for its institutions 
and respect for its government. 

With the hope that this simple 
treatise may contribute something 
definite to the understanding and to 
the citizenship of voters, both men and 
women, throughout the United States, 

this book is dedicated to 

The Millions of Enfranchised 
Women 



Federal Trade Information Service 

Publishers 

175 Fifth Avenue 

New York 

N. Y. 



JUN 191922 

©CI.A674636 



CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT 
OF THE UNITED STATES 

Planted in the soil of the original thirteen states the 
roots of the Constitution have struck out across the 
North American Continent spreading the inestimable 
benefits of its stable government "of the people, by the 
people, for the people" over forty-eight states, not to 
mention Alaska and the island possessions, containing 
the homes of more than one-hundred-and-ten-million 
people, the mightiest nation the world has ever known. 
This Constitution has served as a model for liberal gov- 
ernments established throughout the world for nearly 
a century and a half. 

The system of government devised by the Consti- 
tution of the United States, and developed under it, 
makes it the duty of voters to decide what kind of gov- 
ernment the country shall enjoy and responsibility for 
the actions of officials elected rests upon the people. 

In our great country there are two distinct govern- 
ments: the federal government and the state govern- 
ment. The Constitution of the United States gives 
broad powers to the federal government and provides 
that powers not granted to the federal government 
shall remain with the several states. 

The Constitution established a government of three 
branches: the Legislative branch, which is the Con- 



gress of the United States, composed of an upper house, 
the United States Senate, and a lower house, the House 
of Representatives; the Executive branch, at the head 
of which stands the President of the United States; 
the Judicial branch, consisting of the United States 
Supreme Court and other federal courts. 

Votes cast by men and women on election day every 
four years decide who shall conduct the executive 
functions. Votes cast every two years decide who shall 
conduct the legislative functions. The judicial func- 
tions are conducted by judges appointed by the Presi- 
dent and confirmed by the Senate. 

The President and Vice-President are elected every 
four years. Senators are elected for six years. Repre- 
sentatives are elected for two years. Federal judges 
are appointed for life. 

A President was elected in 1920; the next Presi- 
dential elections will be in 1924, 1928, etc. Members 
of Congress, both Representatives and Senators, were 
elected in 1920; the next Congressional elections will 
be in 1922, 1924, etc. 

Election Day for officials of the federal government 
is on the first Monday after the first Tuesday in 
November throughout the United States. 

Voters of the United States are divided mainly into 
two parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic 
Party. There are other smaller parties, but on all 
national questions the voters have divided quite gen- 
erally between the larger parties. 



THE CONGRESS 

Votes cast at a Congressional election decide who 
shall make the laws to govern the country. One third 
of the Senate comes up for election every two years. 
The entire membership of the House of Representatives 
comes up for election every two years. The Senate 
terms were started in such a way that they would 
overlap so that one branch of the Congress always 
would contain experienced lawmakers. 

A bill (that is, a proposed law) may be introduced 
in either House of Congress, except that taxation bills 
must originate in the House of Representatives, on the 
theory that taxes should be proposed by those close to 
the people, having short terms. After a bill has been 
passed by either House it must be passed by the other. 
If there is disagreement, a conference committee is 
appointed, composed of members of both Houses. 
They reach a compromise which is an average of the 
conflicting views. This usually is accepted by both 
Houses. A bill cannot become law unless it has been 
passed by both Houses of Congress. Then it goes to 
the President for his signature. He may veto it, that 
is, refuse to sign it. If he fails either to veto or sign 
it in ten days, the bill becomes law automatically. If 
he veto the bill, he must explain why. Congress by a 
two-thirds majority can pass a bill over the Presidents 
veto. Then it becomes law without his signature. 

The Constitution provides that appropriations for 
the military forces shall be made for not more than 
two years in advance. This is to prevent the growth 



of a military party by making the military funds sub- 
ject to the civilian congress every two years. In prac- 
tice appropriations are made for only one year at a 
time. 

The Senate and House of Representatives must 
operate in accordance with rules which are strictly 
enforced to avoid confusion and insure orderly proce- 
dure. 

A bill or resolution, upon introduction, immediately 
is referred to a committee. Bills relating to finance, 
taxes and such matters are referred to the Financ 
Committee in the Senate or the Ways and Means Com- 
mittee in the House. Bills relating to international 
affairs are referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations in the Senate or to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs in the House. Other bills are referred to 
proper committees. There are thirty-four committees 
of the Senate and sixty committees of the House of 
Representatives. 

When, as frequently happens, there are several bills 
on the same subject a committee will take the best 
parts from each bill and put them together into one 
bill. On some bills which pass through their hands, 
a committee will report favorably or unfavorably; 
that is, will recommend that the bill pass or not pass, 
according to the views of the majority of the members 
of the committee. The Senate or House, as the case 
may be, then takes up the bill with the Committee 
report and, after debate, will vote to pass or reject. 
In the House, debate is strictly limited, each side 



having a certain number of hours. In the Senate 
it is practically unlimited unless a special rule is made 
to govern debate on a certain bill. This is called a 
cloture rule. 

When Republicans are in the majority of Senate 
or House, the chairman and the majority of the mem- 
bers of the committees are Republicans and republican 
policies govern the handling of bills. The Democrats 
being in power, democratic policies govern in like 
manner. 

On important bills, committees hold hearings, some- 
times lasting for months, at which testimony is taken 
from anyone who desires to appear to advocate or oppose 
the pending legislative proposal. Such testimony 
usually is printed and is available to the public. There 
are invariably hearings on revenue bills, tariff bills, 
important bills affecting the banking system, the mer- 
chant marine and such questions of broad popular 
concern. The most important business men, lawyers, 
publicists and citizens, both men and women, appear 
at these hearings to inform the members of their views 
on what should constitute the law. 

Not infrequently a joint committee consisting of 
several members of the Senate and several from the 
House will be appointed to study and investigate some 
important public question and propose legislation based 
on the findings. Members are appointed to those joint 
committees by the Vice President and the Speaker of 
the House. The regular committees are known as 



standing committees and are organized at the beginning 
of each session. 

Committee work is done chiefly in the morning. 
The sessions of Senate and House begin at noon. 

~* 
THE PRESIDENT 

The general duties of the President as prescribed by 
the Constitution have, with the development of the 
country, been increased conspicuously. An important' 
routine duty which the Constitution does not impose 
is the holding of Cabinet meetings. Twice weekly, 
on Tuesdays and Fridays, members of the cabinet meet 
with the President at the White House. At these 
meetings the affairs of each department and the affairs 
of state, affecting all departments and the whole nation, 
are discussed and policies decided upon. 

The Constitution provides that the President "shall 
take care that all laws be faithfully executed/' Under 
this briefly stated authority come the multitude of 
duties which require the President to devote his time 
to constant supervision of a vast variety of govern- 
mental activities. He is in constant consultation with 
government officials. He receives many individuals 
and delegations and must receive formally all Ambas- 
sadors and Ministers to the United States and accept 
their credentials in person. 

The President appoints the heads of Departments 
(composing his Cabinet), members of Commissions, 
Boards, and certain of the more important Bureaus; 

8 



collectors of customs (taxes on imports) and internal 
revenue; Ambassadors and Ministers and a great num- 
ber of other officials. Most of these appointments 
have to be confirmed by the Senate before they become 
effective. Subordinate officers are selected by the offi- 
cials appointed by the President. Therefore, in voting 
for a candidate for President the voter has a voice 
indirectly in filling all the lesser positions in the gov- 
ernment service. 

The President makes judicial appointments when 
vacancies arise, from death, resignation or retirement. 
Almost invariably he names a man of his own political 
party. Therefore a vote cast for the President indi- 
rectly helps to decide who shall be federal judges. 

The President nominates and the Senate confirms all 
commissioned officers in Army, Navy, Marine Corps 
and other Military branches. 

It is the duty of the Vice-President to act as the 
presiding officer of the Senate and in the event of the 
death or disability of the President, he becomes Presi- 
dent. 

THE SUPREME COURT 

The highest Court is the Supreme Court of the 
United States, the members of which are appointed by 
the President for life and confirmed by the Senate. 
The Court is composed of eight Associate Justices and 
the presiding officer who is the Chief Justice of the 
United States. They stand at the head of the judicial 
system of the United States, and when they decide a 
lawsuit, it cannot be appealed. The Supreme Court 



may overrule Congress by declaring a law it has 
enacted is unconstitutional and therefore void. The 
only answer to this possible to Congress is an amend- 
ment to the Constitution. The framers of the Con- 
stitution made wise provisions for amendments; to in- 
sure wide discussion and to prevent impulsive action on 
proposed changes they provided that all amendments 
must receive the consent of three-fourths of the States. 
The principal federal Courts under the Supreme 
Court are the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals. 
There are nine Circuits, each embracing several states. 
A Justice of the Supreme Court is assigned to each and 
there are several other judges appointed for each Cir- 
cuit. Also there are the United States District Courts. 
Each has jurisdiction over a Federal Judicial District, 
of which there are one or more in each state. These 
federal judges are all appointed for life by the Presi- 
dent and confirmed by the Senate. 

Note. — For exposition of the powers and duties of the 
President, the Congress, and the Courts see the Constitution 
on page 24. 



EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN DETAIL 

By far the most numerous governmental functions 
are those performed by the Executive branch of the 
government. The following pages suggest the impor- 
tant duties of each Department with the titles of the 
officers and names of Divisions and Bureaus ; also the 
Boards and Commissions which complete the Executive 
branch of the government. 

THE SECRETARY OF STATE 

The Department of State is charged with the duty 
of transacting the business of the United States with 
foreign governments. Correspondence relating to 
diplomatic affairs is carried on between the Depart- 
ment and American Ambassadors, Ministers, and Con- 
suls abroad and foreign Ambassadors and Ministers 
at Washington transact their business with the De- 
partment. The Department also issues passports to 
travellers. Experts of the Department frame treaties 
and the Department is the official custodian of exist- 
ing treaties to which this Government is a party. The 
Department is the official publisher of federal laws 
and proclaims amendments to the Constitution. The 
Department of State conducts correspondence be- 
tween the President and the chief Executives of the 
different states of the United States; it also holds and 
affixes the seal of the United States to various docu- 
ments. Offices and Bureaus are : Under-secretary ; the 



Assistant, Second Assistant, and Third Assistant Secre- 
taries; Director of the Consular Service; Chief Clerk; 
Solicitor ; Division of Latin American Affairs ; Division 
of Western European Affairs ; Division of Far Eastern 
Affairs ; Division of Near Eastern Affairs ; Division of 
Mexican Affairs ; Division of Russian Affairs ; Division 
of Publications ; Division of Passport Control ; Division 
of Current Information; Division of Political and 
Economic Information; Diplomatic Bureau; Consular 
Bureau; Bureau of Appointments; Bureau of Indexes 
and Archives ; Bureau of Accounts ; Office of the For- 
eign Trade Advisor and Visa Office. 

THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY 

The Department of the Treasury handles the finan- 
cial affairs of the government. Customs duties and 
internal revenue, including income taxes, are collected 
by the Treasury. The public accounts are kept and 
all issues of government bonds, certificates of indebt- 
edness, savings certificates, documentary and other in- 
ternal revenue stamps made. Annually, through the 
Bureau of the Budget, estimates are submitted to Con- 
gress of the appropriations required to run the govern- 
ment. Special reports are furnished to Congress con- 
cerning fiscal matters. The Treasury is the custodian 
of the government holdings of bullion, currency and 
coin when not in circulation. Offices and Bureaus are : 

Under-secretary; Assistant Secretary in charge of 
foreign loans and railroad advances ; Assistant Secretary 
in charge of public health ; Assistant Secretary in charge 

12 



of internal revenue and customs; Chief Clerk; Comp- 
troller of the Currency; Treasurer of the United States; 
Bureau of the Budget; Commissioner of Internal 
Revenue; Director of the Mint; Register of the 
Treasury; Federal Farm Loan Board (which makes 
mortgage loans to farmers) ; Bureau of Engraving and 
Printing ; Public Health Service ; Coast Guard ; Super- 
vising Architect ; General Supply Committee. 

THE SECRETARY OF WAR 

The Department of War is charged with all matters 
pertaining to the United States Army. Estimates of 
cost are made and recommendations regarding changes 
in the size and methods advanced. Seacoast defenses 
and the control of rivers and harbors are in its charge. 
Orders regarding the movement of troops are issued. 
All purchases of supplies for the army are made. 
Offices and Bureaus are : 

Assistant Secretary of War; Assistant and Chief 
Clerk; War Department General Staff; Chief of 
Cavalry; Chief of Field Artillery; Chief of Coast 
Artillery; Chief of Infantry; Chief of Chaplains; 
Militia Bureau ; Adjutant General ; Personnel Bureau ; 
Inspector General ; Judge Advocate General ; Quarter- 
master General; Chief of Finance; Surgeon General; 
Chief of Engineers; Chief of Ordnance; Chief Signal 
Officer; Air Service; Bureau of Insular Affairs (direct- 
ing the Philippines); Chemical Warfare Service; In- 
land and Coastwise Waterways Service; War Credits 

13 



Board; Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors; 
Army War College. 

ATTORNEY GENERAL 

The Department of Justice is charged with admin- 
istering and enforcing the laws of the United States. 
The Attorney General is the head of the Department 
of Justice and the chief law officer of the govern- 
ment. The United States is represented in all prose- 
cutions against individuals or corporations by this De- 
partment. Legal opinions are given the President or 
heads of Departments. Supervision is exercised over 
all federal attorneys and marshals in all federal 
judicial districts throughout the country. In addition 
to the legal work of prosecuting crime, the Department 
maintains a large staff for the detection of violations of 
federal statutes. Offices and Bureaus are: 

Solicitor General; Assistant to the Attorney Gen- 
eral; several Assistant Attorneys General handling 
miscellaneous cases and the Assistant Attorney General 
in charge of Customs whose office is in New York and 
Assistant Attorney General assigned to work for the 
various Executive Departments; Public Lands Divi- 
sion; Solicitor for the State Department; Solicitor of 
the Treasury ; Solicitor of Internal Revenue ; Solicitor 
for the Interior Department; Solicitor of the Depart- 
ment of Commerce; Solicitor for the Department of 
Labor ; Chief Clerk and Administrative Assistant ; Dis- 
bursing Clerk ; Appointment Clerk ; Librarian ; Bureau 
of Investigation; Superintendent of Prisons; Pardon 



Attorney; Attorney in Charge of Titles; Division of 
Accounts. 

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL 

The Postoffice Department handles the mails, includ- 
ing the parcel post, money order business and other 
allied activities. Contracts are made with railroads 
and steamship companies for transportation of the 
mails. All postmasters in every part of the United 
States come under this Department. It also conducts 
the Postal Savings System. The Postmaster General, 
subject to approval of the President, makes postal 
treaties with other powers. Offices and Bureaus of the 
Department are as follows: 

Chief Clerk; Postal Savings; Special Assistant to 
the Attorney General; Solicitor; Purchasing Agent; 
Chief Inspector; First Assistant Postmaster General 
(Personnel) ; Second Assistant Postmaster General, 
(Railway, Air and Foreign Mails) ; Third Assistant 
Postmaster General (Finance and Stamps) ; Fourth 
Assistant Postmaster General (Rural Free Delivery 
and Equipment) ; Comptroller. 

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 

The Department of the Navy supervises the con- 
struction, manning, armament, equipment, and opera- 
tion of ships of war. Estimates for the upkeep of the 
Navy are prepared for Congress and constant study is 
engaged in for the improvement of the Navy as a 
fighting force. In peace times, regular target prac- 



tice for ships and training for men are provided. The 
Navy Yards owned by the government are super- 
vised, and the Department conducts relations with 
private shipbuilding companies having government ship 
contracts. The Department also has entire supervision 
of the United States Marine Corps. Offices and 
Bureaus are: 

Assistant Secretary; Chief Clerk; Office of Naval 
Operations; War Plans Division; Ship Movements 
Division; Intelligence Division; Communication Divi- 
sion; Materiel Division; Naval District Division; Sub- 
marine Division; Inspection Division; Gunnery Exer- 
cises and Engineering Performance Division; Bureau 
of Navigation; Naval Observatory; Hydrographic 
Office; Bureau of Yards and Docks; Bureau of Ord- 
nance; Bureau of Construction and Repair; Bureau of 
Engineering; Bureau of Medicine and Surgery; Bureau 
of Supplies and Accounts; Bureau of Aeronautics; 
Judge Advocate General; Major General Command- 
ant of the Marine Corps. 

THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 

The Department of the Interior has general charge 
of the natural resources of the United States. It ad- 
ministers the public lands, is in charge of relations with 
Indians, pursues studies along scientific lines relating 
to coal, oil, gas and other resources. It handles the 
pensions of Civil War veterans, supervises the national 
parks and makes surveys of land and water. Van- 
it 



cms Alaskan affairs, including the Government Rail- 
way in Alaska, come within its jurisdiction. It issues 
patents on inventions and supervises education. 
Offices and Bureaus are: 

First Assistant Secretary ; Assistant Secretary ; Chief 
Clerk; Commissioner of the General Land Office; 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs; Commissioner of 
Pensions; Commissioner of Patents; Commissioner of 
Education; the Geological Survey; the Reclamation 
Service; the Bureau of Mines; the National Park 
Service; Board of Indian Commissioners; Alaskan 
Engineering Commission; War Minerals Relief. 

THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 

The Department of Agriculture is maintained to 
foster the farming industries of the nation. By con- 
stant scientific research it develops improved agricul- 
tural methods, finds new plants and crops for Ameri- 
can soil, analyzes soils, studies insect and similar pests 
and has authority to establish quarantines against the 
movement of infected plants and promotes and pro- 
tects the forests. It has supervision of road building. 
It studies domestic animals with a view to improving 
breeds. The purity of commercial foods is tested and 
passed upon. It compiles and issues reports on the 
condition of crops and prepares other statistics relating 
to agriculture. The enforcement of various laws such 
as the cotton future trading law come within its juris- 
diction. It issues weather reports in all cities. Offices 
and Bureaus are: 

17 



Assistant Secretary; Chief Clerk; Solicitor; Office 
of Farm Management and Farm Economics; Weather 
Bureau ; Bureau of Animal Industry ; Bureau of Plant 
Industry; Forest Service; Bureau of Chemistry; 
Bureau of Soils; Bureau of Entomology; Biological 
Survey; Division of Accounts and Disbursements; Di- 
vision of Publications; Library; States Relations Ser- 
vice; Bureau of Public Roads; Bureau of Markets and 
Crop Estimates; Packers and Stockyards Administra- 
tion; Administration of Grain Future Trading Act; 
Insecticide and Fungicide Board; Federal Horticul- 
tural Board; Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory. 

THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 

The Department of Commerce is charged with the 
duty of fostering and promoting the commerce and 
trade of the United States both at home and abroad. 
It gathers information on trade conditions and business 
opportunities in all parts of the world for the benefit 
of American business men. It has supervision of the 
fishery industry, promotes mining and manufacturing, 
and administers the laws relating to navigation. It 
maintains light houses and conducts the survey of the 
coast lines. Its Census Bureau gathers decennially 
statistics of population, manufactures, agriculture and 
a great variety of other statistics. The Bureau of 
Standards tests standards of weights and measures and 
carries on extensive scientific research in cooperation 
with private business. Offices and Bureaus are: 

Assistant Secretary; Chief Clerk; Disbursing Clerk; 

18 



Appointment Division; Division of Publications; Di- 
vision of Supplies; Bureau of the Census; Bureau of 
Foreign and Domestic Commerce; Bureau of Stand- 
ards; Bureau of Fisheries; Bureau of Lighthouses; 
Coast and Geodetic Survey; Bureau of Navigation; 
Steamboat-Inspection Service. 

THE SECRETARY OF LABOR 

The Department of Labor is charged with the duty 
of promoting the welfare of the wage earners of the 
United States. While constantly pursuing investi- 
gations to improve working conditions, the Depart- 
ment also acts as mediator and conciliator in efforts 
to prevent or settle labor disputes. Statistics relating 
to industrial matters are compiled. Data on the cost 
of living, on wages at home and abroad and similar 
information are gathered and studied. The Depart- 
ment has supervision of immigration into the United 
States and also directs the work of investigating mat- 
ters pertaining to the welfare of children and child life. 

Offices and Bureaus are: Assistant Secretary; Chief 
Clerk; Appointment Clerk; Division of Publications 
and Supplies; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Bureau of 
Immigration; Children's Bureau; Bureau of Nat- 
uralization; Women's Bureau; United States Employ- 
ment Service. 



19 



MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES OF THE 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

Alien Property Custodian. In charge of property 
seized from enemy aliens during the war. 

American National Red Cross. Maintains head- 
quarters at Washington under the honorary presidency 
of the President of the United States. 

Board of Road Commissioners for Alaska. In 
charge of military and post roads in Alaska. 

Board of Surveys and Maps of the Federal Govern- 
ment. Coordinates map-making and surveying. 

Civil Service Commission. Enforces the civil ser- 
vice laws and holds examinations for government posi- 
tions. 

Commission on Navy Yards and Naval Stations. 
Locates navy yards, naval stations, submarine bases, etc. 

The Commission of Fine Arts. Supervises great na- 
tional monuments and passes on designs for important 
public works. 

Court of Claims. Hears claims against the United 
States. 

Federal Board for Vocational Education. Promotes 
vocational education, especially for soldiers. 

Federal Power Commission. Conserves the na- 
tional waterpower resources and grants licenses to 
operate power sites. 

Federal Reserve Board. Supervises the twelve 
Federal Reserve Banks and the member banks con- 

20 



stituting the money system. Approves changes in 
bank rates. Formulates fiscal policies. 

Federal Trade Commission. Enforces the laws 
against unfair competition. Makes economic inquiries. 

General Accounting Office. Audits all government 
accounts. 

The International Joint Commission. Handles 
questions concerning the Canadian Boundary. 

International Boundary Commission. United States 
and Canada. 

International Boundary Commission. United States 
and Mexico. 

International Sanitary Bureau. Conducted jointly 
by United States and Latin-American governments to 
study prevention of disease through sanitation. 

Interstate Commerce Commission. Regulates in- 
terstate rates charged by railroads, steamship com- 
panies, telephone and telegraph companies and all other 
common carriers engaged in interstate commerce. 

The Joint Board. Composed of high Army and 
Navy officers who sit together to make war plans. 

Joint Committee on Printing. Three members of 
the Senate and three of the House. The Committee 
controls all government printing. 

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. 
Composed of scientists and Army and Navy officers 
and seeks to advance the science of aeronautics. 

National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. 
Maintains homes for disabled volunteers at Dayton, O., 
Milwaukee, Wis., Togus, Me., Leavenworth, Kans., 

Ml 



Marion, Ind., Santa Monica, Calif., Danville, 111., 
Johnson City, Tenn., and Hot Springs, S. Dak. 

National Screw Thread Commission. Establishes 
standards for screw threads. 

The Panama Canal. Administers the affairs of the 
Panama Canal and the Canal Zone. 

The Pan-American Union. Promotes trade and 
social relations with the Latin-American republics. 

Pecuniary Claims Arbitration Commission. Handles 
foreign claims for damages. 

The Smithsonian Institution. Scientific research 
and museum. 

Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Hears 
cases of residents of the District of Columbia and has 
jurisdiction to hear cases against general civil officers 
of the United States. 

United States Bureau of Efficiency. Maintains a 
system of efficiency ratings for government departments. 

United States Council of National Defense. Ad- 
vises the President on all phases of the national defense. 
Makes economic surveys and reports. Now prac- 
tically dormant. 

United States Court of Customs Appeals. Adjudi- 
cates disputes over customs duties. 

United States Employees' Compensation Commis- 
sion. Administers the federal workmen's compensa- 
tion act. 

United States Geographic Board. Settles disputes 
on names of places. 

United States Interdepartmental Social Hygiene 

22 



Board. Combats diseases through dissemination of 
propaganda and instruction and seeks to protect soldiers 
and sailors from social diseases. 

United States Railroad Administration. Operated 
the railroads during federal control. Now is engaged 
in winding up the business remaining from control. 

United States Railroad Labor Board. Sits at Chi- 
cago and hears disputes between the railroads and their 
employes. 

United States Shipping Board. Regulates ocean 
steamship rates, promotes the American merchant 
marine and operates, through the Emergency Fleet 
Corporation, the government-owned merchant fleet. 

The United States Section of the Inter-American 
High Commission. Promotes trade, legal, financial 
and social relations with the Latin-American republics. 

United States Soldiers' Home. Located at Wash- 
ington for aged and disabled veterans of the regular 
army. 

United States Tariff Commission. Makes economic 
studies and furnishes reports and data to Congress. 

United States Veterans' Bureau. Carries on the 
work formerly done by the Bureau of War Risk In- 
surance. Handles business of the Government in con- 
nection with relief of world war veterans. 

War Finance Corporation. Makes loans to banks 
of funds to be used in financing farmers, exporters, 
cattlemen. During the war made advances to public 
utilities and industrial corporations engaged in war 
business. 

*3 



CONSTITUTION OF THE 
UNITED STATES* 

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a 
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic 
Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the 
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to 
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this 
Constitution for the United States of America. 

ARTICLE I 

Section i. All legislative Powers herein granted shall 
be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall 
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be com- 
posed of Members chosen every second Year by the People 
of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall 
have the qualifications requisite for Electors of the most 
numerous Branch of the State Legislature. 

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have 
attained to the Age of twenty-five Years, and been seven 
Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, 
when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he 
shall be chosen. 

[Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned 
among the several States which may be included within this 
Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall 
be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Per- 
sons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, 
and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other 
Persons.] The actual Enumeration shall be made within 
three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the 

*An official copy of the Constitution, as adopted, with the 
original spelling, punctuation and capitalization. 



United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten 
Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The 
Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every 
thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one 
Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, 
the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, 
Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Planta- 
tions one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, 
Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia 
ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five } and Georgia 
three. 

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any 
State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of 
Election to fill such Vacancies. 

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker 
and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of 
Impeachment. 

Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be 
composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the 
Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall 
have one Vote. 

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence 
of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may 
be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first 
Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, 
of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, 
and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, 
so that one-third may be chosen every second Year; and 
if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during 
the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive 
thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next 
Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Va- 
cancies. 

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained 
to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen 

*5 



of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an 
Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen. 

The Vice President of the United States shall be President 
of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally 
divided. 

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a 
President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, 
or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the 
United States. 

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Im- 
peachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be 
on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United 
States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Per- 
son shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two 
thirds of the Members present. 

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend fur- 
ther than to removal from Office, and disqualification to 
hold and enjoy any Office of Honor, Trust or Profit under 
the United States: but the Party convicted shall neverthe- 
less be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment 
and Punishment, according to Law. 

Section 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding 
Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be pre- 
scribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the 
Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regula- 
tions, except as to the Places of Chusing Senators. 

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, 
and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, 
unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. 

Section 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elec- 
tions, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a 
Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; 
but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and 
may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Mem- 
bers, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each 
House may provide. 

26 



Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, 
punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the 
Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. 

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and 
from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as 
may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and 
Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, 
at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the 
Journal. 

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, 
without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than 
three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the 
two Houses shall be sitting. 

Section 6. The Senators and Representatives shall re- 
ceive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained 
by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. 
They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach 
of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their At- 
tendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in 
going to and returning from the same ; and for any Speech 
or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in 
any other Place. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for 
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under 
the Authority of the United States, which shall have been 
created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been 
increased during such time ; and no Person holding any 
Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either 
House during his Continuance in Office. 

Section 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate 
in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may pro- 
pose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. 

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Repre- 
sentatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be 
presented to the President of the United States; If he approve 
he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his 

27 



Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, 
who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and 
proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two 
thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be 
sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by 
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by 
two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all 
such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by 
Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and 
against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each 
House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by 
the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it 
shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, 
in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress 
by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it 
shall not be a Law. 

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concur- 
rence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be 
necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be 
presented to the President of the United States; and before 
the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or 
being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds 
of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to 
the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill. 

Section 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and 
collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts 
and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare 
of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises 
shall be uniform throughout the United States; 

To borrow money on the credit of the United States ; 
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among 
the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; 

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and 
uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout 
the United States; 

28 



To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign 
Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; 

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the 
Securities and current Coin of the United States; 

To establish Post Offices and post Roads; 

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by 
securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the 
exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discov- 
eries; 

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court; 

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed 
on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations; 

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, 
and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; 

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of 
Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two 
Years; 

To provide and maintain a Navy; 

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of 
the land and naval Forces; 

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the 
Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel In- 
vasions ; 

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the 
Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be 
employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to 
the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and 
the Authority of training the Militia according to the dis- 
cipline prescribed by Congress; 

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, 
over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, 
by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Con- 
gress, become the Seat of the Government of the United 
States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places pur- 
chased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in 
which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Maga- 

29 



zines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; 
—And 

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper 
for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all 
other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Govern- 
ment of the United States, or in any Department or Officer 
thereof. 

Section 9. The Migration or Importation of such Per- 
sons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to 
admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the 
Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or 
duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten 
dollars for each Person. 

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be 
suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion 
the public Safety may require it. 

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be 
passed. 

No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless 
in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before 
directed to be taken. 

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from 
any State. 

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Com- 
merce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of 
another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be 
obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another. 

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in 
Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular 
Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of 
all public Money shall be published from time to time. 

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: 
And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under 
them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of 
any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind what- 
ever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State. 

30 



Section io. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alli- 
ance, or Confederation ; grant Letters of Marque and Re- 
prisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing 
but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts ; 
pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law 
impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of 
Nobility. 

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay 
any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what 
may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection 
Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid 
by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of 
the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall 
be subject to the Revision and Control of the Congress. 

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any 
duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of 
Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another 
State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless 
actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not 
admit of delay. 

ARTICLE II 

Section i. The executive Power shall be vested in a 
President of the United States of America. He shall hold 
his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together 
with the Vice-President, chosen for the same Term, be 
elected, as follows: 

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legis- 
lature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to 
the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which 
the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or 
Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or 
Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. 
[The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and 

3i 



vote by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall 
not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. 
And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, 
and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall 
sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Gov- 
ernment of the United States, directed to the President of the 
Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the 
Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certifi- 
cates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person hav- 
ing the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if 
such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors 
appointed; and if there be more than one who have such 
Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the 
House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot 
one of them for President; and if no Person have a Major- 
ity, then from the five highest on the List the said House 
shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing 
the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Repre- 
sentation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for 
this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from 
two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States 
shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the 
Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest 
Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice Presi- 
dent. But if there should remain two or more who have 
equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the 
Vice-President.] 

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the 
Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; 
which Day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen 
of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this 
Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; 
neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall 
not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been 
fourteen Years a Resident within the United States. 

3* 



In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or 
of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the 
Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve 
on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law pro- 
vide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or In- 
ability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring 
what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer 
shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a 
President shall be elected. 

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his 
Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased 
nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have 
been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any 
other Emolument from the United States, or any of them. 

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall 
take the following Oath or Affirmation: — "I do solemnly 
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of 
President of the United States, and will to the best of my 
Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the 
United States." 

Section 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief 
of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the 
Militia of the several States, when called into the actual 
Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion 
in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive 
Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of 
their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant 
Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United 
States, except in Cases of Impeachment. 

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Con- 
sent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of 
the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by 
and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall ap- 
point Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, 
Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the 
United States, whose Appointments are not herein other- 

33 



wise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: 
but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such 
inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, 
in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. 

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies 
that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by grant- 
ing Commissions which shall expire at the End of their 
next Session. 

Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Con- 
gress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend 
to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge 
necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occa- 
sions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case 
of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of 
Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he 
shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other 
public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be 
faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of 
the United States. 

Section 4. The President, Vice President and all civil 
Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office 
on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, 
or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. 



ARTICLE III 

Section i. The judicial Power of the United States, shall 
be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts 
as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. 
The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall 
hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at 
stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation 
which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in 
Office. 

34 



Section 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, 
in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws 
of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be 
made, under their Authority; — to all Cases affecting Am- 
bassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; — to all Cases 
of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; — to Controversies 
to which the United States shall be a Party; — to Con- 
troversies between two or more States ; — between a State and 
Citizens of another State; — between Citizens of different 
States; — between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands 
under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the 
Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. 

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Min- 
isters and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be 
Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. 
In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court 
shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, 
with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the 
Congress shall make. 

The trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeach- 
ment, shall be by jury; and such Trial shall be held in the 
State where the said Crimes shall have been committed ; but 
when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at 
such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have 
directed. 

Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall con- 
sist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to 
their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person 
shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of 
two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in 
open Court. 

The Congress shall have power to declare the Punish- 
ment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work 
Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life 
of the Person attainted. 

35 



ARTICLE IV 

Section i. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each 
State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings 
of every other State. And the Congress may by general 
Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records 
and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. 

Section 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled 
to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several 
States. 

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or 
other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in 
another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority 
of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be re- 
moved to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime. 

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under 
the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Conse- 
quence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged 
from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on 
Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may 
be due. 

Section 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress 
into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or 
erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any 
State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, 
or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures 
of the States concerned as well as of the Congress. 

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make 
all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory 
or other Property belonging to the United States; and 
nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to 
Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any par- 
ticular State. 

Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every 
State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and 
shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Appli- 

36 



cation of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the 
Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. 

ARTICLE V 

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall 
deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Con- 
stitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two- 
thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for 
proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be 
valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Consti- 
tution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of 
the several States, or by Conventions in three-fourths there- 
of, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be 
proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment 
which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight 
hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and 
fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and 
that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of it's 
equal Suffrage in the Senate. 

ARTICLE VI 

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, be- 
fore the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid 
against the United States under this Constitution, as under 
the Confederation. 

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States 
which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties 
made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the 
United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land ; and the 
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in 
the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary not- 
withstanding. 

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and 
the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all 

37 



executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States 
and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or 
Affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious 
Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office 
or public Trust under the United States. 



ARTICLE VII 

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be 
sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between 
the States so ratifying the Same. 

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States 
present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of 
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven 
and of the Independence of the United States of America 
the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto 
subscribed our Names. 

Go WASHINGTON 
Presidt and deputy from Virginia 



New Hampshire 
John Langdon 
Nicholas Gilman 

Massachusetts 
Nathaniel Gorham 
Rufus King 

Connecticut 
Wm Saml Johnson 
Roger Sherman 

New York 
Alexander Hamilton 

New Jersey 
Wil: Livingston 
David Brearley 
Wm Patterson 
Jona: Dayton 

Attest: 



Pennsylvania 
B. Franklin 
Robt. Morris 
Thos. Fitzsimons 
James Wilson 
Thomas Mifflin 
Geo. Clymer 
Jared Ingersoll 
Gouv Morris 

Delaware 
Geo: Read 
John Dickinson 
Jaco: Broom 
Gunning Bedford jun 
Richard Bassett 

Maryland 
James McHenry 
Danl Carroll 
Dan: of St Thos 
Jenifer 



Virginia 
John Blair — 
James Madison Jr. 

North Carolina 
Wm Blount 
Hu Williamson 

RlCHD DOBBS SPAIGHT 

South Carolina 
J. Rutledge 
Charles Pinckney 
Charles Cotesworth 

Pinckney 
Pierce Butler 

Georgia 
William Few 
Abr Baldwin 



William Jackson, Secretary 

38 



AMENDMENTS OF THE CON- 
STITUTION 

Articles in Addition To, and Amendment Of, the Consti- 
tution of the United States of America, Proposed by 
Congress, and Ratified by the Legislatures of the Sev- 
eral States, Pursuant to the Fifth Article of the 
Original Constitution. 

ARTICLE I 
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment 
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the 
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the 
Government for a redress of grievances. 

ARTICLE II 
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security 
of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear 
Arms, shall not be infringed. 

ARTICLE III 

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any 
house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, 
but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

ARTICLE IV 
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, 
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches 
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall 
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirma- 
tion, and particularly describing the place to be searched, 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

ARTICLE V 
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or other- 
wise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment 

39 



of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval 
forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of 
War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for 
the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; 
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness 
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, 
without due process of law; nor shall private property be 
taken for public use, without just compensation. 

ARTICLE VI 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the 
right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of 
the State and district wherein the crime shall have been 
committed, which district shall have been previously ascer- 
tained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause 
of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses 
against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining wit- 
nesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for 
his defence. 

ARTICLE VII 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy 
shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall 
be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise 
reexamined in any Court of the United States, than accord- 
ing to the rules of the common law. 

i 

ARTICLE VIII 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines 
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

ARTICLE IX 

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, 
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained 
by the people. 

40 



ARTICLE X 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the 
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved 
to the States respectively, or to the people. 

ARTICLE XI 

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be 
construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced 
or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens 
of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign 
State. 

ARTICLE XII 

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and 
vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, 
at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with 
themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person 
voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person 
voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct 
lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons 
voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for 
each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit 
sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, 
directed to the President of the Senate; — The President of 
the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall 
then be counted ; — The person having the greatest number of 
votes for President, shall be the President, if such number 
be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; 
and if no person have such majority, then from the persons 
having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list 
of those voted for as President, the House of Representa- 
tives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. 
But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by 
states, the representation from each state having one vote; 
a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or 



members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all 
the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House 
of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the 
right of choice shall devolve upon them, before, the fourth 
day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall 
act as President, as in the case of the death or other con- 
stitutional disability of the President. — The person having 
the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the 
Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole 
number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a 
majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, 
the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the 
purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number 
of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be 
necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally in- 
eligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that 
of Vice-President of the United States. 

ARTICLE XIII 

Section i. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, 
except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall 
have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United 
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this 
article by appropriate legislation. 

ARTICLE XIV 

Section i. All persons born or naturalized in the United 
States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens 
of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. 
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge 
the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; 
nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or 
property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person 
within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among 



the several States according to their respective numbers, 
counting the whole number of persons in each State, exclud- 
ing Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any 
election for the choice of electors for President and Vice- 
President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, 
the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the mem- 
bers of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male 
inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, 
and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, 
except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the 
basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the pro- 
portion which the number of such male citizens shall bear 
to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of 
age in such State. 

Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representa- 
tive in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, 
or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, 
or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, 
as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United 
States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an 
executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the 
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in 
insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or 
comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a 
vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United 
States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for pay- 
ment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing in- 
surrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither 
the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any 
debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion 
against the United States, or any claim for the loss or 
emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations 
and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by 
appropriate legislation, the provisions of thi9 article. 

43 



ARTICLE XV 

Section i. The right of citizens of the United States to 
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or 
by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition 
of servitude — 

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce 
this article by appropriate legislation. 

ARTICLE XVI 

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes 
on incomes, from whatever source derived, without appor- 
tionment among the several States, and without regard to 
any census or enumeration. 

ARTICLE XVII 

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for 
six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The 
electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite 
for electors of the most numerous branch of the State leg- 
islatures. 

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State 
in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall 
issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, 
That the legislature of any State may empower the executive 
thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill 
the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. 

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect 
the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes 
valid as part of the Constitution. 

ARTICLE XVIII 

Section i. After one year from the ratification of this 
article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxi- 
cating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the 

44 



exportation thereof from the United States and all territory 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is 
hereby prohibited. 

Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall 
have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate 
legislation. 

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it 
shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitu- 
tion by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in 
the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the 
submission hereof to the States by the Congress. 

ARTICLE XIX 

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not 
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State 
on account of sex. 

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation. 



45 



THE DECLARATION OF INDE- 
PENDENCE 

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776. 

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen 
united States of America, 

WHEN in the Course of human events, it becomes 
necsesary for one people to dissolve the political bands 
which have connected them with another, and to assume 
among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal 
station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's 
God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of 
mankind requires that they should declare the causes 

which impel them to the separation. We hold 

these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created 
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with 
certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, 

Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to 

secure these rights, Governments are instituted among 
Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of 
the governed, That whenever any Form of Gov- 
ernment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the 
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to 
institute new Government, laying its foundation on 
such principles and organizing its power in such form, 
as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety 
and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that 

46 



Governments long established should not be changed 
for light and transient causes; and accordingly all 
experience hath shewn, that mankind are more dis- 
posed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to 
right themselves by abolishing the forms to which 
they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses 
and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object 
evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Des- 
potism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off 
such Government, and to provide new Guards for 

their future security. Such has been the patient 

sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the 
necessity which constrains them to alter their former 
Systems of Government. The history of the present 
King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries 
and usurpations, all having in direct object the estab- 
lishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. 
To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid 

world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, 

the most wholesome and necessary for the public 

good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass 

Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless 
suspended in their operation till his Assent should be 
obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neg- 
lected to attend to them. He has refused to pass 

other Laws for the accommodation of large districts 
of people, unless those people would relinquish the 
right of Representation in the Legislature, a right ines- 
timable to them and formidable to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places 

47 



unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository 
of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing 

them into compliance with his measures. He has 

dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for oppos- 
ing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights 

of the people. He has refused for a long time, 

after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; 
whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Anni- 
hilation, have returned to the People at large for 
their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time 
exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, 

and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to 

prevent the population of these States; for that pur- 
pose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of 
Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their 
migration hither, and raising the conditions of new 

Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the 

Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to 

Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has 

made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the 
tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment 

of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of 

New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to 

harass our people, and eat out their substance. He 

has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies 

without the Consent of our legislatures. He has 

affected to render the Military independent of and 

superior to the Civil power. He has combined 

with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to 
our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; 

48 



giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legis- 
lation: For quartering large bodies of armed 

troops among us: For protecting them, by a 

mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which 
they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: 

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the 

world: For imposing Taxes on us without our 

Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of 

the benefits of Trial by jury: For transporting 

us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences : 

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in 
a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbi- 
trary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so 
as to render it at once an example and fit instrument 
for introducing the same absolute rule into these 
Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abol- 
ishing our most valuable Laws, and altering funda- 
mentally the Forms of our Governments: For 

suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring them- 
selves invested with power to legislate for us in all 
cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Govern- 
ment here, by declaring us out of his Protection and 

waging War against us. He has plundered our 

seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and 

destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this 

time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries 
to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, 
already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy 
scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and 
totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. 

49 



He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive 
on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, 
to become the executioners of their friends and 

Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, 
and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of 
our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose 
known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruc- 
tion of all ages, sexes, and conditions. In every stage of 
these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in 
the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have 
been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, 
whose character is thus marked by every act which 
may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free 
people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to 
our British brethren. We have warned them from 
time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend 
an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have 
reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration 
and settlement here. We have appealed to their 
native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured 
them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow 
these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt 
our connections and correspondence. They too have 
been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. 
We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which 
denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold 
the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace 

Friends. 

We, therefore, the Representatives of the 



United States of America, in General Congress, 
Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the 
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the 
Name, and by authority of the good People of these 
Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these 
United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free 
and Independent States; that they are Absolved 
from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all 
political connection between them and the State of 
Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; 
and that as Free and Independent States, they have 
full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract 
Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other 
Acts and Things which Independent States may of 
right do. And for the support of this Declara- 
tion, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine 
Providence, we mutally pledge to each other our Lives, 
our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. 



Button Gwinnett 
Lyman Hall 
Geo Walton 
WM Hooper 
Joseph Hewes 
John Penn 
Edward Rutledge 
ThoS Heyward JunR 
Thomas Lynch JunR 
Arthur Middleton 
Samuel Chase 
WM Paca 
ThoS Stone 
Charles Carroll of 
Carrollton 



John Hancock 

George Wythe 
Richard Henry Lee 
Th Jefferson 
BenjA Harrison 
ThoS Nelson JR. 
Francis Ligthfoot Lee 
Carter Braxton 
RobT Morris 
Benjamin Rush 
BenjA Franklin 
John Morton 
Geo Clymer 
JaS Smith 
Geo Taylor 
James Wilson 



Geo. Ross 
Casar Rodney 
Geo Read 
Tho M: Kean 
WM Floyd 
Phil. Livingston 
FranS Lewis 
Lewis Morris 
RichD Stockton 
JnO Witherspoon 
FraS Hopkinson 
John Hart 
Abra Clark 
Josiah Bartlett 
WM Whipple . 



51 



SamL Adams Step Hopkins WM Williams 

John Adams William Ellery Oliver Wolcott 

RobT Treat Payne Roger Sherman Matthew Thornton 

Elbridge Gerry SamEL Huntington 

HISTORICAL NOTE 

The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire; 
Massachusetts Bay; Rhode Island and Providence Planta- 
tions; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; 
New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, in Delaware; Maryland; 
Virginia; North Carolina, and South Carolina, In Congress 
assembled at Philadelphia, Resolved on the ioth of May, 
1776, to recommend to the respective assemblies and con- 
ventions of the United Colonies, where no government 
sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs had been estab- 
lished, to adopt such a government as should, in the opinion 
of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the 
happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and 
of America in general. A preamble to this resolution, 
agreed to on the 15th of May, stated the intention to be 
totally to suppress the exercise of every kind of authority 
under the British crown. On the 7th of June, certain resolu- 
tions rsepecting independency were moved and seconded. 
On the ioth of June it was resolved, that a committee should 
be appointed to prepare a declaration to the following effect: 
"That the United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, 
free and independent States; that they are absolved from 
all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political 
connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, 
and ought to be, totally dissolved." On the preceding day 
it was determined that the committee for preparing the 
declaration should consist of five, and they were chosen 
accordingly, in the following order: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. 
Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, Mr. R. R. Livingston. 
On the nth of June a resolution was passed to appoint a 
committee to prepare and digest the form of a confederation 
to be entered into between the colonies, and another com- 

52 



mittee to prepare a plan of treaties to be proposed to foreign 
powers. On the 12th of June, it was resolved, that a com- 
mittee of Congress should be appointed by the name of a 
board of war and ordnance, to consist of five members. On 
the 25th of June, a declaration of the deputies of Penn- 
sylvania, met in provincial conference, expressing their 
willingness to concur in a vote declaring the United Colonies 
free and independent States, was laid before Congress and 
read. On the 28th of June, the committee appointed to 
prepare a declaration of independence brought in a draft, 
which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. On the 1st 
of July, a resolution of the convention of Maryland, passed 
the 28th of June, authorizing the deputies of that colony to 
concur in declaring the United Colonies free and independent 
States, was laid before Congress and read. On the same 
day Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, 
to take into consideration the resolution respecting inde- 
pendency. On the 2d of July, a resolution declaring the 
colonies free and independent States, was adopted. A 
declaration to that effect was, on the same and the following 
days, taken into further consideration. Finally, on the 4th of 
July, the Declaration of Independence was agreed to, 
engrossed on paper, signed by John Hancock as president, 
and directed to be sent to the several assemblies, conven- 
tions, and committees, or councils of safety, and to the 
several commanding officers of the continental troops, and 
to be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at the 
head of the Army. It was also ordered to be entered upon 
the Journals of Congress, and on the 2d of August, a copy 
engrossed on parchment was signed by all but one of the 
fifty-six signers whose names are appended to it. That one 
was Matthew Thornton, of New Hampshire, who on taking 
his seat in November asked and obtained the privilege of 
signing it. Several who signed it on the 2d of August were 
absent when it was adopted on the 4th of July, but, approv- 
ing of it, they thus signified their approbation. 

53 



THE MONROE DOCTRINE 

The Doctrine laid down in this statement by President Monroe 
constitutes the basic principle of the foreign policy of the United 
States. Including in its scope the entire continents of North and 
South America, it lays down the rule of America for Americans. 
The respect accorded this Doctrine by the governments of the old 
world, including Asia, has perpetuated the policy which has pre- 
vented the establishment of monarchy in the Western Hemisphere 
and made it the permanent domain of a republican form of 
government. 

Extracts from the Seventh Annual Message of James 

Monroe , President of the United States / dated 

December 2, 1823. 

[State Papers, First Session, Eighteenth Congress.] 



At the proposal of the Russian imperial govern- 
ment, made through the minister of the Emperor 
residing here, a full power and instructions have been 
transmitted to the Minister of the United States at 
St. Petersburgh, to arrange, by amicable negotiation, 
the respective rights and interests of the two nations 
on the northwest coast of this continent. A similar 
proposal has been made by his Imperial Majesty to 
the government of Great Britain, which has likewise 
been acceded to. The government of the United 
States has been desirous, by this friendly proceeding, 
of manifesting the great value which they have invari- 
ably attached to the friendship of the emperor, and 
their solicitude to cultivate the best understanding 
with his government. In the discussions to which 
this interest has given rise, and in the arrangements 

54 



by which they may terminate, the occasion has been 
judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which 
the rights and interests of the United States are 
involved, that the American continents, by the free 
and independent condition which they have assumed 
and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as 
subjects for future colonization by any European 

powers. 

***** 

It was stated at the commencement of the last ses- 
sion, that a great effort was then making in Spain 
and Portugal, to improve the condition of the people 
of those countries, and that it appeared to be con- 
ducted with extraordinary moderation. It need scar- 
cely be remarked, that the result has been, so far, very 
different from what was then anticipated. Of events 
in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so 
much intercourse, and from which we derive our 
origin, we have always been anxious and interested 
spectators. The citizens of the United States cherish 
sentiments the most friendly, in favor of the liberty 
and happiness of their fellow men on that side of the 
Atlantic. In the wars of the European pow r ers, in 
matters relating to themselves, we have never taken 
any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to 
do. It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously 
menaced, that we resent injuries, or make preparation 
for our defence. With the movements in this hemi- 
sphere, we are, of necessity, more immediately con- 
nected, and by causes which must be obvious to all 

55 



enlightened and impartial observers. The political 
system of the allied powers is essentially different, in 
this respect, from that of America. This difference 
proceeds from that which exists in their respective 
governments. And to the defence of our own, which 
has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and 
treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most 
enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed 
unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted. 
We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the amicable 
relations existing between the United States and 
those powers, to declare, that we should consider 
any attempt on their part to extend their system to 
any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our 
peace and safety. With the existing colonies or depen- 
dencies of any European power, we have not interfered, 
and shall not interfere. But, with the governments 
who have declared their independence, and maintained 
it, and whose independence we have, on great considera- 
tion, and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
them, or controlling, in any other manner, their des- 
tiny, by any European power, in any other light than 
as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition 
towards the United States. In the war between 
these new governments and Spain, we declared our 
neutrality at the time of their recognition, and to this 
we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, pro- 
vided no change shall occur, which, in the judgment 
of the competent authorities of this government, shall 

56 



make a corresponding change, on the part of the United 
States, indispensable to their security. 

The late events in Spain and Portugal, shew that 
Europe is still unsettled. Of this important fact, no 
stronger proof can be adduced than that the allied 
powers should have thought it proper, on any principle 
satisfactory to themselves, to have interposed, by force, 
in the internal concerns of Spain. To what extent 
such interposition may be carried, on the same prin- 
ciple, is a question, in which all independent powers, 
whose governments differ from theirs, are interested; 
even those most remote, and surely none more so than 
the United States. Our policy, in regard to Europe, 
which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which 
have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, never- 
theless remains the same, which is, not to interfere 
in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to con- 
sider the government de facto as the legitimate govern- 
ment for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, 
and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and 
manly policy, meeting, in all instances, the just claims 
of every power; submitting to injuries from none. 
But, in regard to these continents, circumstances are 
eminently and conspicuously different. It is impos- 
sible that the allied powers should extend their political 
system to any portion of either continent, without 
endangering our peace and happiness; nor can any one 
believe that our Southern Brethren, if left to them- 
selves, would adopt it of their own accord. It is 
equally impossible, therefore, that we should behold 

57 



such interposition, in any form, with indifference. If 
we look to the comparative strength and resources 
of Spain and those new governments, and their dis- 
tance from each other, it must be obvious that she can 
never subdue them. It is still the true policy of the 
United States, to leave the parties to themselves, in 
the hope that other powers will pursue the same 
course. 

ijt Jji ,vj/ <L> vV 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG 
ADDRESS 

(November 19, 1863.) 

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought 
forth on this continent a new Nation, conceived in 
liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men 
are created equal. 

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing 
whether that Nation, or any nation so conceived, and 
so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a 
great battle field of that war. We have come to dedi- 
cate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for 
those who here gave their lives, that that Nation might 

58 



live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should 
do this. 

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we 
can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. 
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, 
have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add 
or detract. The world will little note, nor long 
remember, what we say here, but it can never forget 
what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, 
to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which 
they who fought here, have, thus far, so nobly advanced. 
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great 
task remaining before us — that from these honored 
dead we take increased devotion to that cause for 
which they gave the last full measure of devotion — 
that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not 
have died in vain — that this Nation, under God, shall 
have a new birth of freedom — and that, government 
of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not 
perish from the earth." 



59 



THE SEVERAL STATES 

The surpassing genius of the framers of the Con- 
stitution must not be forgotten. 

While creating a federal government strong enough 
to weather all storms, internal and external, including 
rebellions and foreign wars ; strong enough to establish 
and maintain a national credit, the highest in the 
world; a central government successful alike in peace 
and war; it granted to the states, united in the great 
republic, the largest possible degree of self government. 

As already stated, the Constitution of the United 
States left with the individual states the full exercise 
of all governmental functions not specifically assigned 
to the federal government, or expressly denied to the 
states. 

Thus it is that each state has its own constitution 
and government. These state constitutions are pat- 
terned in some measure after the Federal Constitution. 
Each state has its Executive branch, represented by the 
Governor; Legislative branch in its General Assembly 
or Legislature composed of an upper and a lower house ; 
its Judicial branch with a Supreme Court and various 
other courts. 

Each state provides such governmental machinery as 
it needs to carry into operation the laws it enacts. 

While most of the states hold local elections on the 
day appointed for federal elections, namely, the first 

60 



Tuesday after the first Monday in November, yet this 
is optional and in some, elections are held at other 
times, as in Maine, where local elections occur in 
September. 

Below the state are the county, the municipality, and 
the town, each having its own governmental functions 
to perform and offices to be filled. The lesser units 
are training schools from which have come most of the 
country's political leaders. 



The Constitution of the United States is the charter 
and bulwark of our liberties. Under it the people of 
the United States enjoy freedom of political and relig- 
ious conscience, equality of opportunity, security of life 
and property and liberty of action within the law. 
Through its instrumentalities, every needed reform, 
every new advance may be accomplished by the intelli- 
gent exercise of the ballot. 

The future of the country rests in the hands of its 
voters. 



61 



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